Five steps to getting the offer

Superior skills may not guarantee you get the job. Here are five ways to give yourself an edge over other applicants.

Do you ever wonder why someone with less experience gets the job — and you don’t? It’s true, superior qualifications are no guarantee you’ll get the job.

Getting the offer often boils down to how well the you present your information and connect with the employer. In fact, rapport-building is such a big part of the process that when two candidates are being compared, the one who connected best with the interviewer usually comes out on top.

Here are five ways you can improve your interview rapport-building skills:

Know what makes you different from the other candidates. List at least 10 skills that have contributed to your success.

Match your qualifications to the employer’s needs. Pay attention to the words you use to describe yourself.

Make sure your interests relate to the employer’s needs. This will give you an edge.

Mentally trade places with the employer, and develop an understanding of what he is looking for in a candidate.

Practice making a convincing presentation before the interview. Ask yourself what would make an employer want to hire you.